CN101849194B - Method of performing an MRI reference scan - Google Patents

Method of performing an MRI reference scan Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101849194B
CN101849194B CN200880114919.6A CN200880114919A CN101849194B CN 101849194 B CN101849194 B CN 101849194B CN 200880114919 A CN200880114919 A CN 200880114919A CN 101849194 B CN101849194 B CN 101849194B
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echo
gradient
magnetic field
phase
pulse
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CN101849194A (en
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M·富德勒
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/58Calibration of imaging systems, e.g. using test probes, Phantoms; Calibration objects or fiducial markers such as active or passive RF coils surrounding an MR active material
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/24Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
    • G01R33/243Spatial mapping of the polarizing magnetic field
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/443Assessment of an electric or a magnetic field, e.g. spatial mapping, determination of a B0 drift or dosimetry
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/561Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
    • G01R33/5611Parallel magnetic resonance imaging, e.g. sensitivity encoding [SENSE], simultaneous acquisition of spatial harmonics [SMASH], unaliasing by Fourier encoding of the overlaps using the temporal dimension [UNFOLD], k-t-broad-use linear acquisition speed-up technique [k-t-BLAST], k-t-SENSE
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/561Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
    • G01R33/5613Generating steady state signals, e.g. low flip angle sequences [FLASH]
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/565Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
    • G01R33/56563Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities caused by a distortion of the main magnetic field B0, e.g. temporal variation of the magnitude or spatial inhomogeneity of B0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of performing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference scan of an examination volume comprising a plurality of image points, the method being performed using a set of detector elements (142), the method comprising: phase sensitive acquisition of a first and a second complex echo signal originating from a first (214; 306; 310) and second (216; 308; 312) echo for each image point, wherein the acquisition is performed by each of the detector elements of the set of detector elements (142), determining for a detector element of the set of detector elements (142) a phase difference between the first and the second echo signal for each image point, - calculating from the phase difference a local magnetic field inhomogeneity value for each image point, deriving for each image point a coil sensitivity matrix, wherein the coil sensitivity matrix is derived by calculating complex ratios of the first or the second complex echo signals acquired by the set of elements.

Description

For carrying out the method for MRI reference scan
Technical field
The present invention relates to the method for carrying out magnetic resonance imaging reference scan, the MR imaging apparatus that is suitable for the reference scan that checks volume and computer program.
Background technology
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of main imaging technique in medical science.MRI can generate the detail image of soft tissue.In MRI, use the special properties of each component of finding in tissue to carry out synthetic image, for example, the most often water is used for to this object.In the time standing strong external magnetic field, proton 1h will align with this external field, generate magnetic moment.After by radio frequency pulse excitation, this magnetization will generate the RF signal that can be detected.This RF signal is characterised in that the frequency relevant to magnetic field intensity.Therefore, magnetic field gradient is used for to encoding for rebuilding the required spatial information of image according to institute's detection signal.
For a condition precedent carrying out MRI in highly accurate mode for for checking that local magnetic field unevenness in volume, messenger are for detecting the definite cognition of sensitivity of coil of the RF signal being generated by above-mentioned magnetization, and have about coil timing or in other words know after being opened coil can be how soon with the details of pinpoint accuracy detection RF signal.
Know that MR field unevenness for example allows, by applying high-order shimming, to a great extent to its correction.Due to a variety of causes, the homogeneity in magnetic field is important.One of described reason is spectroscopy aspect, and in MR imaging (we mainly pay close attention to here), for some sequences, this is important, for example, field-the echo technique (also can be abbreviated as bFFE, be also referred to as true-FISP, be also referred to as FIESTA) of balance, and for water is separated with fat---in particular for fat suppression technology, this is also important.
Must know about check volume picture point sensor sensitivities former because, for example, coil has along with reduce the characteristic that receives sensitivity with the increase of the distance in magnetic resonance signal source, and wherein, described sensitivity distribution is not uniform in the inspection volume of whole imaging.In the time of following situation, this is the problem being even more important, and described situation is the signal that multiple receiving coils record the phase diagram picture point in self-check volume.In this case, must be weighted the signal receiving from described multiple receiving coils by this way, make to use and can obtain uniform magnetic resonance image (MRI) from the information of all coils.
For example, WO 2006/018780 A1 discloses a kind of for the local relaxation time values that checks volume being carried out to quantitatively definite magnetic resonance (MR) method.Therefore, calculate local magnetic field unevenness value according to the local resonant frequency values of measuring with multiple echoed signals.
EP 0545465 A1 discloses a kind of quick and simple method for shimming of measuring sequence that only utilizes.
US 6,275,038 B1 discloses a kind of method for assessment of the unevenness in the magnetic polarization field of the MRI image of the section of a bit obtaining object of section.Thereby, the phase differential by use between the value of the first and second spatial images of described point, assessment magnetic field bump.
US 7,015,696 B2 disclose a kind of for calculating the method for sensitivity distribution of receiving coil.
Summary of the invention
The invention provides a kind of method that execution comprises magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference scan of the inspection volume of multiple picture point, use the set of a detector element to carry out described method, described method comprises carries out phase sensitive collection to being derived from from the first and second multiple echoed signals of the first and second echoes of each picture point, wherein, carry out described collection by the each detector element in the set of described detector element.The method also comprise for the detector element in the set of described detector element determine for the phase differential between the first and second echoed signals of each picture point, and according to described phase difference calculating the local field unevenness value for each picture point.The method also comprises for each picture point calculates sensor sensitivities matrix, and wherein, described sensor sensitivities matrix makes by the first or second multiple echoed signal of the set collection of described element associated with each other.
Embodiments of the invention have following advantage, in a reference scan only, obtain a volume diagram for unevenness value, and additionally use described reference scan can calculate the sensor sensitivities matrix for each picture point simultaneously.This means, in a single scanning, obtained the volume diagram of ratio and the volume diagram of a unevenness value of sensor sensitivities.Therefore,, owing to only needing a single scanning to recover the two volume diagram of a unevenness and sensor sensitivities, reduced for the Measuring Time of reference scan.This has reduced again patient must treat the total length of the time in magnetic resonance imaging system.The passenger flow quantity that this has increased patient's convenience and has also improved patient.
According to embodiments of the invention, described method also comprises the coil timing matrix calculating at least one picture point, wherein, described coil timing matrix makes by the first multiple echoed signal of the each detector element collection in the set of element associated with the second multiple echoed signal.
This has following advantage: can avoid for obtaining the additional reference scan about the out of Memory of coil timing.In addition, only need according to single reference scan of the present invention to equally additionally obtain the information about coil timing problem.
According to embodiments of the invention, echo is the gtadient echo that uses encode magnetic field gradient to generate.Preferably, select poor between the echo time, make for two predetermined chemical shift values the basic same-phase of described the first and second echo.For example, described two chemical displacement values are many water tissues and fatty chemical displacement value.Human tissue has the marked change of chemical shift really, is the poor of frequency between many water tissues and fat the most significantly.In practice, this means by application and carry out the method according to reference scan of the present invention, can separate as local magnetic field unevenness geographical the phase differential mistake between the first and second echoed signals, instead of regarded as for example fat of only existence.By selecting as follows the difference between the echo time to address this problem: in many water tissues and fatty example, the basic same-phase of the first and second echoes and irrelevant with the existence of many water tissues or fat.For the magnetic field of 3T, the difference between two echo times should be about 2.3 milliseconds.
According to embodiments of the invention, generate the first echo by a RF pulse and encode magnetic field gradient, generate the second echo by the 2nd RF pulse and another encode magnetic field gradient.This allows to set up the simple and straight forward pulse sequence that comprises the first and second RF pulses and necessary encode magnetic field gradient.
According to embodiments of the invention, generate the first echo by the reference scan sequence that comprises RF pulse and encode magnetic field gradient, generate the second echo by described RF pulse and another encode magnetic field gradient of obtaining from repeating of reference scan sequence.In this embodiment, only a RF pulse is used for generating the first and second echoes, wherein, generates the first and second echoes by the corresponding switching of encode magnetic field gradient.The advantage of such reference scan sequence is, if need to provide the compensation due to for example many water tissues and fatty chemical displacement value, compared with " two pulses " sequence, can significantly reduce the repetition time of carrying out such pulse train.Therefore, the echo of the excitation of transmitting before the second echo is actually, it can be realized by suitably switching encode magnetic field gradient.Like this, the difference between two echo times can be slightly longer than the repetition time of reference scan sequence.
According to embodiments of the invention, the repetition time of reference scan sequence is shorter than the echo time between RF pulse and described second echo self of generation the second echo.
According to embodiments of the invention, encode magnetic field gradient is included in the first gradient temporarily applying after RF pulse, and described the first gradient has the first gradient region obtaining according to the first polarity, the first amplitude and the first duration.Encode magnetic field gradient is also included in the first gradient and has applied the second gradient temporarily applying afterwards, described the second gradient has the first gradient region, second and the gradient region of the 3rd gradient region that comprises anti-phase (inverted), described the second gradient region obtained according to the second polarity, the second amplitude and the second duration, wherein, described the second polarity is corresponding to the first anti-phase polarity, obtain the 3rd polar region according to the 3rd polarity, the 3rd amplitude and the 3rd duration, wherein, described the 3rd polarity is corresponding to the first anti-phase polarity.Encode magnetic field gradient is also included in the 3rd gradient that the second gradient applies after having applied temporarily, and described the 3rd gradient has and comprises the twice of the second anti-phase gradient region and the gradient region of anti-phase the 3rd gradient region.
Use the sequence of this interim encode magnetic field gradient of arranging to make the mistiming between the first and second echoes can be longer than the repetition time of reference scan sequence itself.
According to embodiments of the invention, magnetic field gradient is frequency coding gradient.
According to embodiments of the invention, described method also comprises the set that applies a phase encoding gradient.This phase encoding can be extended in one or two dimension.In the process that applies the first gradient, apply the set of this phase encoding gradient with predetermined polarity, in the process that applies the 3rd gradient, apply the set of phase encoding gradient with anti-phase predetermined polarity.Therefore, use such two-dimensional phase coding, can rebuild in a predefined manner image or volume according to the first and second echo responses, and ignore owing to for example there being fatty chemical shift.So, a volume diagram for unevenness value can be provided.
According to embodiments of the invention, RF pulse has the pulse angle lower than 10 °, is preferably lower than the pulse angle of 2 °.Suppose that all RF pulses have very little angle, compared with direct echo (that is: gtadient echo), can ignore RF refocusing and stimulated echo.Equally, by only using and there is the RF pulse of small-pulse effect angle, obviously, the repetition time can be remained very shortly, and must not consider relaxation problem.
On the other hand, the present invention relates to the MR imaging apparatus of the reference scan that is suitable for the inspection volume that comprises multiple picture point, described device comprises the set of detector element, described device also comprises for to being derived from the device that carries out phase sensitive collection for the first and second multiple echoed signals of the first and second echoes of each picture point, wherein, the each detector element in the set of described detector element is applicable to described collection.Described device also comprises the definite device for the phase differential between the first and second echoed signals of each picture point of the each detecting device in the set that is used to described detector element.Described device also comprise for according to phase difference calculating for the device of the local field unevenness value of each picture point and for calculate the device of sensor sensitivities matrix for each picture point, wherein, described sensor sensitivities matrix makes the first and second multiple echoed signals of being gathered by the set of described element associated with each other.
On the other hand, the present invention relates to comprise the computer program of the computer executable instructions for carrying out the method according to this invention.
Brief description of the drawings
Below, with reference to accompanying drawing, only unusual the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example, in the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is the block scheme of the embodiment of MR imaging apparatus;
Fig. 2 shows for carrying out the timing sequence according to the method for reference scan of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows for carrying out another timing sequence according to the method for reference scan of the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows the process flow diagram illustrating according to the method for reference scan of the present invention.
Reference numerals list:
100 data handling systems
102 screens
104 input equipments
106 storeies
108 interfaces
110 processors
112 computer programs
114 modules
116 modules
120 modules
122 main magnets
124 gradient coils
126 patients
128 RF body coils
130 home court control modules
132 gradient coil control modules
134 RF coil control modules
136 amplifiers
138 RF makers
140
142 surface coils
144 control modules
200 pulses
202 pulses
024 frequency coding gradient
206 frequency coding gradients
208 frequency coding gradients
210 frequency coding gradients
214 echoes
216 echoes
218 samplings
220 phase encoding gradients
300 pulses
301 pulses
302 frequency coding gradients
303 pulses
304 phase encoding gradients
305 phase encoding gradients
306 echoes
308 echoes
310 echoes
312 echoes
314 samplings
316 reference scan sequences
318 regions
320 regions
322 regions
324 regions
326 regions
330 frequency coding gradients
332 frequency coding gradients
Embodiment
Fig. 1 is the block scheme of the embodiment of MR imaging apparatus.In Fig. 1, only show the critical piece that is incorporated to preferred MRI system of the present invention.MR imaging apparatus comprises data handling system 100, and thus, data handling system 100 generally includes computer screen 102; Input equipment 104, it can be for example keyboard and mouse.In Fig. 1, MRI system also comprises storer 106 and interface 108.Therefore, interface 108 is suitable for common hardware MRI component communication and carries out exchanges data.
These hardware componenies comprise the home court control module 103 that is for example suitable for the home court of controlling magnet 122.Therefore can make main field magnet 122 be suitable for use as superconductive permanent magnet or for the each independent usage of MRI system by external drive with switch to and open or close.Interface 108 is also communicated by letter with gradient coil control module 132, and wherein, each gradient coil 124 is preferably for generating along the self-shileding gradient coil of the gradient of three public (mutual) axle x, y and z.MRI system also comprises the RF coil 128 that is electrically connected to RF control module 134.Therefore, RF coil 128 is preferably suitable for the conglomerate coil as being integrated in magnet thorax.
Use RF maker 138, under the control of data handling system 100, generate RF pulse train, and for example encourage the proton in a person 126 in reservation mode thus.Afterwards, the magnetic resonance signal obtaining is detected and is amplified by means of amplifier 136 by for example surface coils 142.After this, for gathered RF signal being processed by the dedicated hardware components of similar detecting device, frequency mixer etc., this is known in the art, not shown herein.Therefore, such hardware component can be suitable for use as additional external hardware unit or realize in data handling system 100.
Interface 108 is also connected to a control module 144, and it is suitable for the motion of the bed 140 of controlling patient 126 places.Therefore, bed is suitable for moving patient in the direction of the image acquisition region towards body coil 128.
Data handling system 100 also comprises the processor 110 of the computer executable instructions that is suitable for computer program product 112.In current embodiment, data handling system 100 comprises the computer program 112 by means of data acquisition module, and it is suitable for control hardware unit 122-124 and 128-144.Executing data collection is also analyzed gathered data for image reconstruction by data analysis module 116.
Computer program 112 also comprises various modules 120.These modules can for example be suitable for determining for the phase differential between the echoed signal gathering of Given Graph picture point for the given detector element of the set 142 of detector element.Described module can also comprise and is suitable for the module for the local magnetic field unevenness value of each picture point according to described phase difference calculating.Equally also comprise and be suitable for calculating for the sensor sensitivities matrix norm piece of each picture point, wherein, described sensor sensitivities matrix makes the echoed signal that gathered by the set 142 of detector element associated with each other.Therefore, such module is suitable for generating the volume diagram of sensor sensitivities ratio.
In order to carry out the method according to this invention with exemplary approach, first patient is positioned on movable bed 140.Afterwards, use bed control module 144 that bed is moved in magnet thorax, this magnet thorax comprises the detector element with the form of surface coils 142.Use computer program 112, generates as subsequently in Fig. 2 and corresponding pulses sequence depicted in figure 3, described computer program also comprises the control command for gradient coil control module 132.Use the set of detector element 142, to coming from for the first and second multiple echoed signal excute phase sensitivity collections of the first and second echoes that are examined the each picture point in volume in magnet thorax, wherein, described collection is carried out by the each detector element in the set of detector element 142.Use in module 120, determine for the phase differential between the first and second echoed signals of each picture point for the detector element in the set of detector element.This allows by obtain the volume diagram of magnetic field bump value in another step for the local magnetic field unevenness value of each picture point according to phase difference calculating.Equally, use for the identical multiple echoed signal that gathers of each picture point and calculate sensor sensitivities matrix by means of one in module 120, wherein, described sensor sensitivities matrix makes the first or second multiple echoed signal association being gathered by the set of element.In addition, again by using identical the first and second multiple echoed signals that gather at least one picture point, calculate coil timing matrix by means of one in module 120, wherein, described coil timing matrix the first multiple echoed signal is gathered with the each detector element in set 142 by element second to answer echoed signal associated.
Should be mentioned that and can use selectivity or non-selective driving pulse to carry out the method according to this invention.The advantage of sheet selectivity (slab-selective) pulse is, if only a part for the health to patient 126 is interested especially, can become sweep time in principle shorter.
Fig. 2 shows for carrying out the timing sequence according to the method for reference scan of the present invention.Therefore, timing sequence comprises the pulse train being made up of two pulses 200 and 202.These two pulses 200 are the RF pulse for separating in time by applying frequency coding gradient 204 with 202.Follow closely after applying the 2nd RF pulse 202, apply another frequency coding gradient 206 with frequency coding gradient 204 with identical polarity, amplitude and duration.Afterwards, apply another frequency coding gradient 208, this time described frequency coding gradient 208 has the polarity anti-phase with frequency coding gradient 206 but identical amplitude and the duration.This causes the formation of gtadient echo 214, the frequency coding gradient 206 and 208 that described gtadient echo 214 is derived from RF pulse 202 and is compensated in the time that echo 214 occurs.
After frequency coding gradient 208, apply another frequency coding gradient 210, this frequency coding gradient is corresponding to frequency coding gradient 208 in this example.But conventionally, frequency coding gradient 210 need to have the anti-phase polarity with frequency coding gradient 204, but there is the gradient region identical with frequency coding gradient 204 (its be multiplied by the gradient duration for gradient amplitude).This causes the formation at time T E2 place the second gtadient echo 216.In a word, this second gtadient echo 216 is due to RF pulse 200 and phase encoding gradient 204 and 210 complimentary to one another.
The timing sequence of Fig. 2 also shows sampling 218, and in sampling, 218 places carry out the collection to RF magnetic resonance signal with echo 214 and 216 forms.Sequence in Fig. 2 also shows phase encoding gradient 220, and it is necessary for obtaining echo 214 and 216 to the three dimensions distribution of the picture point of the inspection volume of imaging.
After finishing, frequency coding gradient 210 repeats sequence depicted in figure 2.Thus, the sequence in Fig. 2 has repetition time TR, and the described repetition time is provided by the time gap between the first pulse 200 and the end of frequency coding gradient 210.
Only suppose for point in space and only a receiving coil carry out the sequence of describing in execution graph 2, by analyzing complex amplitude and the phase place of echo 214 and 216, can determine local magnetic field unevenness.
The problems referred to above are discussed back, the chemical shift bringing due to differing from many water tissues and fatty chemical shift changes may be misinterpreted as local magnetic field unevenness, in order to address this problem, the time gap between two echo time TE1 and TE2 need to meet specified conditions.For example, be operated in magnetic field B at main magnet 0in the situation of=3T, fat is 400Hz left and right with respect to the chemical shift of water.This means, about complex phase position, the echo in about every 2.5 milliseconds of left and right obtaining from many water tissues, by the echo corresponding to obtaining from fat.This knowledge to be applied to Fig. 2, to this means in order obtaining independently for the identical complex phase position of echo 214 and 216 that with whether echo 214 and 216 comes from water or fat is irrelevant, the difference between two echo times should be in about 2.5 milliseconds of left and right.But object is to keep TR (repetition time) as far as possible shortly, they should be lower than 2 milliseconds in practice, thereby allow the quick execution of the reference scan that checks volume.This can not be reached by the difference between two echo times of about 2.5 milliseconds.
This has just drawn Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 shows for carrying out another timing sequence according to the method for reference scan of the present invention.Comparison diagram 2, reference scan sequence 316 only comprises an independent RF pulse 300.The RF pulse 301 and 303 of describing in Fig. 3 belongs to another subsequent reference scanning sequence 316.In Fig. 3, show two reference scan sequences 316 and 316 '.
RF pulse 300 causes gtadient echo 306 and gtadient echo 312.But gtadient echo 312 only occurs afterwards carrying out reference scan sequence 316 (representing with sequence 316 ') for the second time.Now it is explained in detail:
In the first step, apply RF pulse 300.Thereby frequency coding gradient 302 is opened, wherein, described gradient 302 has the first gradient region-A, and its polarity from described gradient 302, amplitude and the integration of duration obtain.
Afterwards, after having applied, gradient 302 applies another gradient 330 temporarily.This gradient 330 has by three regions: the gradient region that region 320 (area size+A), region 322 (area size+B) and region 324 (area size+A) form.Therefore, gradient region 320 is corresponding to the anti-phase gradient region 318 of frequency coding gradient 302.This has such effect, that is, as long as gradient 330 reaches the gradient region corresponding to the gradient region of gradient 302, just frequency coding gradient is compensated.As a result, form echo 306 at echo time TE1.Use afterwards sampling 314 to read echo 306.
For simplicity, should ignore now echo 308 but after it is discussed.As mentioned above, frequency coding gradient 330 comprises the gradient region 322 with area size B and the gradient region 324 with area size A.Therefore, region 322 and region 324 have the polarity identical with region 320.
After having applied, gradient 330 applies another gradient 332 temporarily.This gradient 332 has integral domain size for-gradient region 326 (2B+A).Can understand subsequently for selecting this big or small reason.
Reference scan sequence 316 also comprises two phase encoding gradients 304 and 305.Therefore, with on the application time of frequency coding gradient 302 apply concurrently phase encoding gradient 304.In the process that applies frequency coding gradient 332, apply phase encoding gradient 305.Compare with phase encoding gradient 304, phase encoding gradient 305 has anti-phase polarity, makes, before the subsequent RF pulse 301 of next scanning sequence 316 ', phase encoding gradient to be compensated.
Reference scan sequence 316 is repeated as reference scan sequence 316 ', and it starts to apply corresponding to the RF pulse 301 of RF pulse 300 again.As explained above, the design of frequency coding gradient 302 and frequency coding gradient 330 (especially gradient region 320) causes the formation of gtadient echo 310.Therefore, this gtadient echo 310 is corresponding to gtadient echo 306.With respect to the time that applies a RF pulse 300, at time T E2, form another echo 312.This echo 312 is also gtadient echo, and it is RF pulse 300 and gradient 302,330,332,302 ' and 330 ' result.Consider that the gradient region of describing in the bottom of Fig. 3 just can be understood this.Therefore, it becomes clear, and at time T E2, the above-mentioned frequency coding gradient of mentioning is compensated to zero.Such compensation causes the formation of gtadient echo, in the example of Fig. 3, causes the formation of gtadient echo 312.
Now, the appearance of echo 308 has also been explained in the extension left of the timing sequence of Fig. 3.Echo 308 is that described RF pulse is just before the RF pulse 300 in reference scan sequence formerly, to apply through the frequency coding gradient of compensation and the result of RF pulse.
Really there is the problem (this is especially because the difference of the frequency between many water tissues and fat causes) of the marked change of chemical shift in order to overcome human tissue, if the poor TE2-TE1 of two echo times can make echo 306 and 312 become same-phase corresponding to for example anti-phase difference on the frequency between many water tissues and fat, wherein, for 3T, the difference of this echo time is about 2.5 milliseconds.But although TE2-TE1 is about 2.5 milliseconds, the repetition time TR of reference scan sequence 316 can still keep below poor between two echo times.
Should be noted that, also may be arranged in such a way described sequence: as to response measurement second echo of twice emitting (shot) before, thereby it is poor to reach for example theoretical echo time of 5 milliseconds for 2 milliseconds of repetition times.This can be for example for being necessary as 1.5T compared with downfield, wherein, because the difference on the frequency of the chemical shift between many water tissues and fat is about 200Hz, this is corresponding in order to ensure two echo same-phases, and the necessary time in the case of the echo that has 5 milliseconds is poor.In this case, arrange in the following manner frequency coding gradient: the second echo occurs in the process of the repetition of carrying out for the third time of reference scan sequence 316.
Back with reference to Fig. 3, in order to obtain a volume diagram for unevenness value, the first and second phase of echos are compared mutually, this means echo 306 and echo 312 are compared.In order to determine sensor sensitivities, the echo being obtained by a coil 306 and the echo 306 being obtained by another coil are compared.In theory, for the identical point in the space checking in volume, two coils all should obtain identical signal output, form the ratio between the signal output of two coils if this means, described ratio should equal 1.But, in practice, due to space in cause that coil of distance of the point of echoed signal 306 may be farther than another coil, may be really recently large from the signal of the coil compared with near signal source from the signal of the coil compared with far away.So the ratio between these two signals no longer equals 1.The concept of ratio is extended to multiple coils, for a set point in space, obtain the ratio of the amplitude of multiple echoed signals.But this is not limited only to amplitude, but can also comprise complex value, that is: amplitude and phase place.This causes that a point in space arrives the array of sensitivity, and described array extension just obtains in multiple line circle sensitivity matrix to the whole inspection volume that is included in the multiple points in space.
In order to calculate coil sensitivity matrix, certainly, any echo in the set of given echo can be associated with each other.For example this means by all coils element testing to all echoes 306 can be associated with each other, can be associated with each other by all echoes 312 of all coils element testing etc.
For coil timing problem, should the amplitude of echo 306 and echo 312 be compared mutually given coil.After detector element being applied to pulse 300 and 301, the in the situation that of reaching immediately its maximum sensitivity after being opened, ignore the relaxation effect of conventionally growing than the corresponding time of TE2, the amplitude of echo 306 and 312 should equate.But, need special time to reach maximum sensitivity with detection of echoes signal in the situation that in detector element, after time T E1, may still not reach described sensitivity, but can after the time that echo 312 occurs after applying RF pulse 301, reach described sensitivity, wherein said time T E1 is the time that echo 306 occurs after applying RF pulse 300.In this case, the amplitude ratio of the amplitude of the echo amplitude of echo 306 and echo 312 is unequal.Thereby this has provided the information about coil timing.The impact of type is difficult to measure in other modes except the mode of the double echo comparison described in Fig. 3 like this.
Fig. 4 shows the process flow diagram illustrating according to the method for reference scan of the present invention.In step 400, gathered being derived from for the first and second multiple echoed signal excute phase sensitivitys of the first and second echoes of each picture point of the inspection volume that comprises multiple picture point by the each detector element in the set of the detector element of MR imaging apparatus.
After step 400, three kinds of different modes analyzing the echoed signal gathering are provided.A possibility is in step 402, determines the phase differential between the first and second multiple echoed signals, and this permission is calculated local magnetic field unevenness figure at subsequent step 404.Alternately, after step 400, use the first or second multiple echoed signal for each picture point of being obtained by the set of described element, can calculate sensor sensitivities matrix.
In other alternative way, after step 400, in step 408, can be by the first multiple echoed signal of each detector element collection of the set by element be carried out to the associated coil timing matrix that calculates with the second multiple echoed signal.

Claims (12)

1. execution comprises a method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference scan of the inspection volume of multiple picture point, and described method is used the set (142) of detector element to carry out, and described method comprises:
-to being derived from the first echo (214 for each picture point; 306; 310) and the second echo (216; 308; 312) the first multiple echoed signal and the phase sensitive of the second multiple echoed signal gather, and wherein, carry out described collection by the each described detector element in the set (142) of described detector element;
-determine for the phase differential between described first echo signal and the described second echo signal of each picture point for the detector element in the set (142) of described detector element;
-local magnetic field unevenness value according to described phase difference calculating for each picture point;
The sensor sensitivities matrix of-leading-out needle to each picture point, wherein, derives described sensor sensitivities matrix by calculating by the described first multiple echoed signal of the set collection of described detector element or the compound ratio rate of the described second multiple echoed signal, and
Wherein, described the first echo (214; 306; 310) and described the second echo (216; 308; 312) gtadient echo for using encode magnetic field gradient to generate.
2. method according to claim 1, wherein, described reference scan comprises RF pulse, wherein, described RF pulse (200; 202; 300; 301; 303) there is the pulse angle lower than 10 degree.
3. method according to claim 2, wherein said pulse angle is lower than 2 degree.
4. method according to claim 2, wherein, selects the temporal official post between described the first echo and the second echo must be for two predetermined chemical shift values, and described the first echo and described the second echo are essentially homophase.
5. according to the method described in any one in claim 2 to 4, wherein, described the first echo (214) is by RF pulse (202) and an encode magnetic field gradient (206; 208) generate, and described the second echo (216) is by the 2nd RF pulse (200) and another encode magnetic field gradient (204; 210) generate.
6. according to the method described in any one in claim 2 to 4, wherein
-described the first echo (306) is generated by the execution for the first time of reference scan sequence (316), and described reference scan sequence (316) comprises RF pulse (300) and encode magnetic field gradient (320; 330);
-described the second echo (312) is by applying with the described described RF pulse (300) of carrying out for the first time of described reference scan sequence (316) and another encode magnetic field gradient (302 obtaining from repeating of described reference scan sequence; 330; 332; 302 '; 330 ') generate.
7. method according to claim 6, wherein, the repetition time of described reference scan sequence is shorter than the described echo time between described RF pulse and described second echo self of described the second echo of generation.
8. method according to claim 6, wherein, described encode magnetic field gradient (302; 330; 332) comprise
-the first encode magnetic field gradient (302) of temporarily applying afterwards in described RF pulse (300), described the first encode magnetic field gradient has the first gradient region (318) obtaining according to the first polarity, the first amplitude and the first duration;
-after described the first encode magnetic field gradient (302) has applied, the second encode magnetic field gradient (330) temporarily applying, described the second encode magnetic field gradient (330) has the second gradient region, described the second gradient region comprises the first sub-gradient region (320), the second sub-gradient region (322) and the 3rd sub-gradient region (324), described the first sub-gradient region (320) comprises anti-phase the first gradient region (318), described the second sub-gradient region (322) is according to the second polarity, the second amplitude and the second duration obtain, wherein, described the second polarity is corresponding to the first anti-phase polarity, described the 3rd sub-gradient region (324) is according to the 3rd polarity, the 3rd amplitude and the 3rd duration obtain, wherein, described the 3rd polarity is corresponding to the first anti-phase polarity,
-the 3rd encode magnetic field gradient (332) that temporarily applied after described the second encode magnetic field gradient (330) has applied, described the 3rd encode magnetic field gradient has and comprises the twice of the second anti-phase sub-gradient region (322) and the 3rd gradient region (326) of a times of anti-phase the 3rd sub-gradient region (324).
9. method according to claim 5, wherein, described encode magnetic field gradient is frequency coding gradient.
10. method according to claim 8, also comprises and applies phase encoding gradient (304; 305) set, wherein
-in the process that applies described the first encode magnetic field gradient, apply described phase encoding gradient (304) with predetermined polarity; And
-in the process that applies described the 3rd encode magnetic field gradient with the anti-phase described phase encoding gradient (305) that applies of described predetermined polarity.
11. 1 kinds of inspection volumes that are suitable for comprising multiple picture point carry out the MR imaging apparatus of reference scan, and described device comprises the set (142) of detector element, and described device also comprises
-for answering to being derived from for the first echo of each picture point and the first multiple echoed signal and second of the second echo the device (114) that echoed signal is carried out phase sensitive collection, wherein, the each described detector element in the set of described detector element (142) is suitable for carrying out described collection;
-determine the device (116 for the phase differential between described first echo signal and the described second echo signal of each picture point for the detector element of the set for described detector element (142); 120);
-for the device (120) for the local magnetic field unevenness value of each picture point according to described phase difference calculating;
The device (120) of-sensor sensitivities matrix for leading-out needle to each picture point, wherein, describedly be suitable for deriving described sensor sensitivities matrix by calculating by the described first multiple echoed signal of the set collection of described detector element or the compound ratio rate of the described second multiple echoed signal for deriving the device of described sensor sensitivities matrix, and
Wherein, described the first echo (214; 306; 310) and described the second echo (216; 308; 312) gtadient echo for using encode magnetic field gradient to generate.
12. devices according to claim 11, also comprise device (132) and RF impulse generator (138) for generating encode magnetic field gradient, wherein, are describedly suitable for for the device and the described RF impulse generator that generate described encode magnetic field gradient
-by the reference scan sequence (316) and the encode magnetic field gradient (320 that comprise RF pulse (300); 330) generate described the first echo (304);
-by described RF pulse (300) and another encode magnetic field gradient (302 of obtaining from repeating of described reference scan sequence; 330; 332; 302 '; 330 ') generate the second echo (312).
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